Layton Target evacuated after bomb threats reported at multiple Utah stores
The Target in Layton was evacuated after officials were informed of a bomb threat to multiple Utah locations. (Photo: Courtesy Kym Parham Longsden)
LAYTON, Utah (KUTV) — A Target in Layton was evacuated after officials said they were informed of a bomb threat to multiple Utah locations.
An employee of the Panda Express located next to the Target at 815 West 2000 North confirmed that multiple officers were on scene with a K-9 team by 1 p.m. on Friday.
They said all of the stores occupants —staff and customers — appeared to have been evacuated to the parking lot.
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Sgt. John Ottesen with Layton Police said bomb threats were made to Target stores in Layton, Salt Lake, Taylorsville and Provo.
Officers began the investigation after two local new stations received emails alerting them about the threats.
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They said Target's Pride merchandise displays were referenced in the emails.
The threat was three sentences long and came from a “bogus email address," according to Sgt. Ottesen.
He said prosecutors may seek subpoenas to find the source.
The event comes just days after Target was slammed on social media for its LGBTQ+ children's merchandise being sold in several stores, which has since been taken off shelves.
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KUTV has reached out to Target representatives for more details on this incident.
The Salt Lake City Police Department shared the following statement regarding the threat:
"Officers have worked with the Target Corporation throughout the morning and have determined there is no credible threat to the Target stores in Salt Lake City. Officers will continue neighborhood patrols around the Target locations in Salt Lake City out of an abundance of caution. We encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to immediately call 911."
Equality Utah provided 2News with the following statement:
"Efforts to threaten, bully or frighten LGBTQ Americans and our allies will never prevail. We will not be intimidated back into the closet. In a pluralistic society we must find non-violent means to settle our political disagreements. We call on Americans from all walks of life to speak out against extremism and violence. We can and must live together in peace."
The Utah Pride Center also shared a statement:
"The Utah Pride Center condemns all acts of violence, and our hearts go out to the staff and patrons at Layton’s Target today.
"Part of the mission of our organization is to celebrate and empower the LGBTQ+ community. We strive to build not only a society without attacks on freedom of expression, but also a society that celebrates the freedom to be our full authentic selves. Pride merchandise is a fabulous way for our community and allies to express their identity and celebrate freedom from oppression.
"We are lucky to live in a society where everyone is free to wear the clothes they love most, and we won’t let terror threats stop that. We urge everyone in our state and in our country to find kindness and support in their hearts both for themselves and others, as well as to challenge the biases that surround and shape our perspectives, both collectively and individually."
